The problem with all these lists is the editor assigns the same topic every year and they don't want to list the same runs/towns/resorts every year, so they just end up throwing stuff on a piece of paper to see what works in terms of: not listed last time, geographically diverse, and sort of meets the objective. So you might not find green runs on this list, but beyond that eventually every black is fair game.

I think the problem comes up to lack of basic knowledge and lack of effort.

If somebody really cared about compiling a list that made sense and wasn't just terribly researched clickbait, the way to do it would be to compile a list of mountains known to have some of the most difficult terrain. Mountains like:

Crested Butte

Taos

Telluride

Squaw

Jackson

etc.

Then, you make a 5 minute call to the marketing director (or pretty much anybody at the ski area) and ask what the nastiest named run at the resort is. 45 minutes later, you have a great list that doesn't do stupid things like list runs that aren't anywhere close to the most difficult at their areas.

You may miss some good additions from areas you missed in your calls, but at least you have a defendable list. The fact that nobody seems to do this tells me that nobody is spending even 45 minutes putting clickbait like this together.

The problem with all these lists is the editor assigns the same topic every year and they don't want to list the same runs/towns/resorts every year, so they just end up throwing stuff on a piece of paper to see what works in terms of: not listed last time, geographically diverse, and sort of meets the objective. So you might not find green runs on this list, but beyond that eventually every black is fair game.

I think the problem comes up to lack of basic knowledge and lack of effort.

If somebody really cared about compiling a list that made sense and wasn't just terribly researched clickbait, the way to do it would be to compile a list of mountains known to have some of the most difficult terrain. Mountains like:

Crested Butte
Taos
Telluride
Squaw
Jackson
etc.

Then, you make a 5 minute call to the marketing director (or pretty much anybody at the ski area) and ask what the nastiest named run at the resort is. 45 minutes later, you have a great list that doesn't do stupid things like list runs that aren't anywhere close to the most difficult at their areas.

You may miss some good additions from areas you missed in your calls, but at least you have a defendable list. The fact that nobody seems to do this tells me that nobody is spending even 45 minutes putting clickbait like this together.

That works the first year. Now it's the fifth time you've run this article. The mountains are not changing each year.. You're not allowed to reuse those other articles. Now what? Maybe you reuse two of them, but you can't say, "see list from 2007".

That works the first year. Now it's the fifth time you've run this article. The mountains are not changing each year.. You're not allowed to reuse those other articles. Now what? Maybe you reuse two of them, but you can't say, "see list from 2007".

which begs the question, why do actual skiers--or anybody else--bother to read "The best whatever" lists the first time? I was named the best in my profession in my hometown magazine some years ago. I was riding high until one of my colleagues, who was named in his profession, pointed out that the same magazine listed Taco Bell as the best Mexican restaurant. Talk about a come down.

That works the first year. Now it's the fifth time you've run this article. The mountains are not changing each year.. You're not allowed to reuse those other articles. Now what? Maybe you reuse two of them, but you can't say, "see list from 2007".

Well, you change the premise of the piece slightly (as most do). One year make it most "dangerous," next year make it best expert runs, next year make it "most fun," etc. The answers to each of those would change and give one flexibility.

Do I come back and what do I see? The same 20 steepest runs discussion? To the OP: so you can easily ski double diamonds...I say I smell BS... No one can "easily ski" real double diamonds, no matter how good you are, they are always a challenge and a thrill. Listen to what TPJ said.

No one can "easily ski" real double diamonds, no matter how good you are, they are always a challenge and a thrill. Listen to what TPJ said.

No surprise alexzn is from Squaw and TPJ.... well that's obvious.

Yeah. And they're just plain right, too. According to this east coaster.

My favorite way to ski a scary run the first time is to just bird dog someone I trust, who knows I'm there and what I can do. Like segbrown or johnl. Then just ski without thinking too much about what is coming. Once I know I can do it, then I think about it.

Yeah. And they're just plain right, too. According to this east coaster.

My favorite way to ski a scary run the first time is to just bird dog someone I trust, who knows I'm there and what I can do. Like segbrown or johnl. Then just ski without thinking too much about what is coming. Once I know I can do it, then I think about it.

It is really hard to ski unfamiliar terrain aggressively. I'm about half as timid skiing my own terrain as I am skiing elsewhere, even on stuff I've skied lots over the years (just not recently). Very psychological.

Do I come back and what do I see? The same 20 steepest runs discussion? To the OP: so you can easily ski double diamonds...

I certainly can't but I've skied with people who can. Many years ago I skied West Face in big icy bumps with a very skinny, very unathletic-looking woman friend of mine who skied the troughs with no detectable effort smooth as glass, no stopping, no slips--at least what I could see of her run. I fell and started sliding faster than I had been skiing. Plenty of other examples I can think of. There are people that good--and a lot of them at Squaw-as you know.

I'm sure your friend would not describe it as "easy", good skiers just make it look easy; it's still hard work. And, besides, they would never brag about being able to ski "all double black diamonds". So that sort of talk is a dead giveaway for a wannabe. But you know it probably better than I do, so we are not even arguing here.

I'm sure your friend would not describe it as "easy", good skiers just make it look easy; it's still hard work. And, besides, they would never brag about being able to ski "all double black diamonds". So that sort of talk is a dead giveaway for a wannabe. But you know it probably better than I do, so we are not even arguing here.

she would never brag or comment on the run being easy. Which is why I have to brag for her. Since I'm doing the talking, I'm the wannabe--a description I can't argue with-(actually I'm too old to be a wannabe; more like a neverwas.)

she would never brag or comment on the run being easy. Which is why I have to brag for her. Since I'm doing the talking, I'm the wannabe--a description I can't argue with-(actually I'm too old to be a wannabe; more like a never was.)

Just to make it clear- I was not calling you a wannabe... it only counts towards wannabe status when you talk that sort of stuff about your own skills. The bolded text is very indicative of all good skiers who I met (maybe with the exception of Josh ;-)